Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
In the Doghouse: Hot Dog On A Stick Files For Bankruptcy
Sad news for people who love their hot dog/lemonade combo: Hot Dog on a Stick has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The Carlsbad-based mall chain, which has 93 locations across the western U.S., filed today, claiming that many of the chain's locations were opened during the real estate bubble of the mid-2000s, NBC reports. The chain's CEO, Dan Smith, said in a press release that "declining mall traffic" was another component in their downfall.
But fear not, corn dog fans: Chapter 11 is only the reorganizing wing of the bankruptcy spectrum; it allows the company to get back on its feet and pay off its debts. Part of that process will be trying to get the rent lowered on at least half of their locations, UT San Diego reports.
Indeed, Smith said in the release:
Support for LAist comes from
"The Hot Dog on a Stick brand has been strong and iconic for many years. Our initiatives, coupled with the cooperation of our partners, will allow us to emerge from these bankruptcy proceedings in a position to thrive well into the future."
Smith hopes to be out of the bankruptcy woods by this summer.
The chain got its start in 1946 at Santa Monica Beach. It was originally called "Party Puffs." We hope that Hot Dog on a Stick, which has been such an important California institution, will continue to exist, if only to keep those uniforms part of our landscape.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist